San Jose State University School of Music and Dance Topics in Jazz Dance I Fall 2015 Danc42A Jazz dance technique with the focus on the element of space DANC 42A KIN 42A COURSE NUMBER: 47133 COURSE NUMBER: 49192 SECTION: 01 SECTION: 01 Instructor: Jill Yager Office Location: WSQ 104 Telephone: (408) 924-5041 Email: jill.yager@sjsu.edu (preferred contact) Office Hours: By appointment Class Days/Time: Mon/Wed 9:00-10:20 Classroom: WSQ 106 GE/SJSU Studies Category: This class may count as one unit towards SJSJU s Physical Education requirement. Course Description This course is designed to give a beginning level of understanding of the execution and integration of the element of space in a style or varied styles of jazz dance. Class will consist of technical work, focusing on body alignment and organization, movement proficiency and execution, and spatial awareness. Content Center floor warm- up Strength and flexibility exercises Center barre exercises and turns Traveling adagio Allegro and aerial movement Rhythmic phrasing Choreographic phrases will expand weekly, becoming progressively longer and more challenging by the end of the week.
Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives Activity 4 hours. One unit may be used one time towards the two unit Physical Education graduation requirement. Repeatable for credit. 2 units. Students will develop their dance technique at the beginning level. They will cultivate their understanding of the element of space in jazz dance. Students will demonstrate the use of levels, execute phrasing with changes of direction and facings, understand movement orientation in relationship to planes, and will have a clear understanding of stage space. Students will achieve clear, precise body organization and alignment. They will also gain strength, increase range and further their movement articulation. They will work on movement quality, initiation and intention. Upon the successful completion of this course the student will have a beginning level understanding of and the ability to display and/or execute the following in jazz technique: Element of Space: Successfully demonstrates a deep understanding, integration and execution of the element of space. Can clearly perform movement with relationship and connection to use of levels, planes, directions and facings. Level 1: 25% of the time Level 2: 50% of the time Level 3: 75% of the time Level 4: 90%- 100% of the time Core Support: Ability to engage core in a way that supports spine, trunk, pelvis and can allow for efficiency in technique. Level 1: should demonstrate mastery of core support 25% of the time Level 2: should demonstrate mastery of core support 50% of the time Level 3: should demonstrate mastery of core support 75% of the time Level 4: should demonstrate mastery of core support 90%- 100% of the time Alignment: Correct alignment of spine (with natural curve in lower back), neutral pelvis, lengthened abdominals, arms engaged into back, ability to stretch back of legs, understanding of and ability to engage and maintain turnout from hip joint. Level 1: should demonstrate correct alignment 25% of the time Level 2: should demonstrate correct alignment 50% of the time Level 3: should demonstrate correct alignment 75% of the time Level 4: should demonstrate correct alignment 90%- 100% of the time Strength: Dancers should demonstrate necessary strength to maintain alignment, avoid injury and to allow for dynamic movement. Level 1: begin to demonstrate strength Level 2: demonstrate a good degree of strength some of the time Level 3: demonstrate a great degree of strength most of the time
Level 4: demonstrate significant degree of strength all of the time Flexibility: Dancers should have a high degree of flexibility to allow for greater range of movement and to satisfy dance aesthetic. Flexibility is required throughout the body, but particularly in hip joints, hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, ankle joint, and spine. Level 1: beginning range of flexibility in some areas Level 2: some range of flexibility in most areas Level 3: good range of flexibility in all areas Level 4: great range of flexibility in all areas Coordination/Movement mechanics: Ability to coordinate different parts of the body at the same time in a variety of ways within a sense of phrasing. Ability to integrate movement within the entire body Level2: half of the time Level 3: most of the time Level 4: all of the time Refinement and Articulation: Clarity in the details of movement, clear and specific choice making in phrasing. Level 1 and 2: not assessed Level 3: some of the time Level 4: most of the time Speed and Accuracy: Ability to move quickly and accurately while maintaining good technique Level 1 and 2: not assessed Level 3: some of the time Level 4: most of the time Musical Awareness: Ability to receive, comprehend, be sensitive to, and have a working knowledge of musical concepts like rhythm, tempo, phrasing, and even mood. Level 2: half of the time Level 3: most of the time Level 4: all of the time Expressive Phrasing: Ability to connect with accompanying music, interpret it, or phrase and add movement dynamics that relate to music even in the absence of accompaniment, in a way that is unique or interesting Level 2: half of the time Level 3: most of the time Level 4: all of the time
Kinesthetic awareness: Ability to coordinate movement and to feel and be aware of one s body in space and time Level 2: half of the time Level 3: most of the time Level 4: all of the time Knowledge of movement material and vocabulary: Ability to memorize, conceptually understand and demonstrate movement material and vocabulary given in the class Level 2: most of the time Level 3, 4: all of the time Positive Attitude, respect, maturity, capacity to accept new challenges, self - cueing: Level 1, 2: most of the time Level 3, 4: all of the time Ability to pick up and adapt material quickly: Level 2: half of the time Level 3: most of the time Level 4: all of the time Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty- five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus. Outside Requirements Attendance of four concerts is a requirement for this course. Failure to meet this requirement will result in losing credit. One missed concert will result in losing 6 points (6% of overall grade.) An additional 3 points will be lost with each additional missed concert. Please see attached for a performance schedule for specific dates, times, and costs of scheduled concerts. You will receive a performance card that will need to be stamped at each concert, and then turned in at the end of the semester. Please observe deadlines for turning in these performance cards. You are required to remain for the entire concert. Leaving before the conclusion of the concert constitutes Academic Dishonesty. If you are participating in a required concert you must attend an additional, instructor- approved concert.
It is Dance Program policy that all students must attend the concerts assigned on the concert calendar green sheet or lose credit. DO NOT ASK IF YOU MAY ATTEND AN ALTERNATIVE CONCERT FOR CREDIT. There will be no exceptions for non- attendance except for those who may be performing in a required concert. At the beginning of the semester these students should speak with their instructors. Remember, that students who are performing need not make up one concert in which they are involved, but must make up a second concert, should they be performing in two concerts. Fall 2015 Performance Schedule Sept. 30 Choreography II Showing 1:45 PM WSQ 204 Informal presentation of site-specific projects in choreography. Free Oct.16-17 sjdanceco in Concert* at the California Theatre 8PM General $35/Students $20 October 29-31 University Dance Theatre Thursday & Friday at 7PM, Saturday at 2pm General $20/Students $12, Seniors $10 Nov. 4 Choreography II Showing 1:45PM WSQ 204 Informal presentation of classroom projects in choreography Free Nov.20-21 Dec. 3-5 sjdanceco s Choreo Project Awards Friday 7 PM-Saturday 2:30 and 7PM Curated concert of original works by professionals General $20/Students, Seniors $15 Images in Dance* 7PM Concert of works by advanced students. General $15/Students, Seniors $10 Dec. 7 Choreography II Final Projects 7PM WSQ 204 Works by second semester choreography students Tues, TR class and Wed. MW class General $10/Students, Seniors Free *Italicized concerts (four) are required for SJSU students in Dance Technique classes.
Assignments and Grading Policy This course is a technique class. Therefore, dancers will be graded on a daily basis on their learning outcomes and must demonstrate growth and development throughout the term. It is only through consistent attendance and participation that students can gain the necessary skills to progress and succeed. Students skills will be continuously evaluated during class projects. An absence will result in losing that day s evaluation grade, lowering the overall grade. Students may make up a maximum of two excused absences by attending instructor approved SJSU classes. A student missing more than two class meetings, for any reason, must meet with the instructor to discuss the viability of continuing the course. Students that are injured are required to notify the instructor of the injury and must still attend the entire class to take notes if at all possible. Any injured student who cannot participate in class more than twice will begin to lose daily credit. Evaluation 0-62 skill level (includes daily evaluation grade) 0-20 midterm exam: October 12 th & 14 th in class 0-25 final exam: Tuesday December 15 th 9:45-12:00 0-5 pop quizzes 0-15 concert attendance Possible points: 127 Grades A- F 98-100: A+ 97-94: A 93-90: A- 89-87: B+ 86-84: B 83-80: B- 79-77: C+ 76-74: C 73-70: C- 69-67: D+ 66-64: D 63-60: D- 59 or below: F Unsatisfactory Classroom Protocol Participation- this is a participation intensive activity; regular attendance is essential in order to progress. Each student will be evaluated on a class by class basis. If you are injured and unable to participate, you are required to attend and observe/note take class. Lateness- If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late for class she/he must observe and take notes during class and turn them into the instructor at the end of class. Half a point will be subtracted for every tardy. Excessive lateness will affect your final grade. If you arrive after roll has been taken, it is your responsibility to check in with the instructor after class to insure your attendance has been recorded.
Attire- Students should wear clothing that outlines the body. No jeans please. Long hair should be pulled back. No long earrings or chewing gum. Students will warm up in either socks or bare feet and then continue class with jazz shoes. University Policies Dropping and Adding Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes. Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/. Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/s12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor s permission to record the course. Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor s permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material. Permission will be granted orally by the professor on a class by class basis. In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the recording, permission of those students or guests should be obtained as well. Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent. Academic Integrity Students should know that the University s Academic Integrity Policy is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicialaffairs/academicintegrity PolicyS07.2.pdf. Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University s integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The website for Student Conduct and Ethical Development is available at: http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicialaffairs/index.html.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting work of another as your own, or the use of another person s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. If you would like to include in your assignment any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please not that SJSU s Academic Policy F06-1 requires approval of instructors. Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.
Jazz I, Dance 42A Fall 2015 Course Schedule This schedule is subject to change with fair notice. If need be, students will be notified during class. Week Date Topics, Reading Assignments, Deadlines 1 8/24-8/26 Center warm- up, progressions (focus on coordination) Center combo Beginning 1 2 8/31-9/2 Center warm- up, progressions (focus on coordination) Center combo Beginning 1 3 9/7-9/9 Center warm- up, progressions (focus on coordination and mechanics) Center combo Beginning 1 4 9/14-9/16 Center warm- up, progressions (focus on coordination, mechanics, and vocabulary) Center combo Beginning 1 5 9/21-9/23 Center warm- up, progressions (focus on coordination, mechanics, and vocabulary) Center Combo Beginning 1 6 9/28-9/30 Review for Midterm Exam 7 10/5-10/7 Review for Midterm Exam 8 10/12-10/14 Midterm Exam, during class time 9 10/19-10/21 Center warm- up, partner warm- up (focus on strength and flexibility) 10 10/26-10/28 Center warm- up, conditioning 11 11/2-11/4 Center warm- up, Progressions (pirouettes and ariel movement) Center Combo Beginning 2 12 Center warm- up, Progressions (pirouettes and aerial movement) Center Combo Beginning 2 13 11/16-11/18 Center warm- up, Progressions (Articulation & Style) Center Combo Beginning 2 14 11/23-11/25 Center warm- up, Progressions (Articulation and Style) Center Combo Beginning 2 15 11/30-12/2 Material for Final Exam 16 12/7 Review for Final Exam, Last Class Final 12/16 7:15-9:00